Saturday, July 9, 2011

Well, I got some instant gratification sewing done in the last two days. Last summer, I cut out six or seven dresses and a couple of nightgowns for my daughter, and then left them in a pile in my sewing room, unstitched. Worried that she may have outgrown them, I checked the pattern measurements, but to my relief, they were still the right size. I guess I was thinking ahead last year! Anyway, I decided to actually sew them up this weekend. Yesterday, I worked on and finished a nightgown for her. The fabric had, of course, a Disney princess on it--Ariel, with friends, printed with a tropical feel in teal, red and yellow. Bright, but for bedtime, perfect. The way it worked up, it reminds me of a Hawaaiian muumuu! However, little girl loved it, even though it was too big in the neckline and kept falling off her shoulders. I corrected that by running a 1/8" red ribbon through the neckline (it had a narrow bias facing) and tying it in front with a bow. Now it fits perfectly, and she's thrilled. Wore it all morning!

Today, I didn't know where to begin, so I asked Ella to pick which dress I should make. The one she chose was white pique embroidered with a pink and green floral border that I purchased a few years ago from Farmhouse Fabrics on clearance. I got a second one, but I'll make that up later. The pattern was very simple, the sleeveless sundress pattern from Kari Mecca's Sewing With Whimsy. It worked up so fast (no hem!) that I had time to get halfway through a second, similar dress. Ella absolutely loved this dress, and couldn't get it on fast enough. She danced all over in it, and wouldn't take it off until bedtime. I consider that a pretty good indicator that she liked it. In fact, I had a hard time making her stand still long enough to photograph her in it! You can see that she's got plenty of room in it, and the hem hits her at about mid-calf. The camera angle is a little high, so it looks long.

The second dress I'm working on is sooooo cute!! I got the fabric at JoAnn's one day...a mother and her mother were getting some fabric cut out, and I thought the print was cute, so after she was done with it, I got it from her! I'm using the same basic sundress pattern, but I'm also using some wide ric-rac on the neckline, armscye, and as detail trim on the bodice. The skirt uses three different patterns, tiered. I'm very excited to finish it, because I know that Ella's going to love it.

Well, going to go downstairs to play a little Lego Star Wars with the husband...if he's in the mood.

Sunday, July 3, 2011

Sigh...why do people set off fireworks before the 4th?? My husband's theory is that they are people who have never had pets or kids. I'm inclined to agree. I believe it is inconsiderate to set off fireworks prior to the 4th, especially at night, when kids are going to bed, etc. Yes, it is a Sunday and tomorrow's a holiday, but it doesn't matter...save it for the actual holiday, willya??

Working on a cap-sleeve cardigan for my daughter. I'm about halfway through with it. I sat out on the patio knitting while she played with the dog, bubbles and the sandbox. For once, my husband had the time to sit out there and relax with us. I have many things to do, of course, but... somehow, cleaning house just isn't something I felt like doing today. Tomorrow, we'll have to pick up the downstairs...Ella has been making it her usual state of chaos again. Then we'll need to vacuum, and I'll have to clean the bathroom. My mother-in-law is coming, so...better have it looking tidy!

I really want to sew and do more embroidery, but...other stuff keeps getting in the way.

The good news is that Wednesday, I'm dropping the barnacle off at daycare/preschool while my MIL and I run down to Vancouver to go to Fabric Depot--or, as I call it, Fabric Mecca! With so many JoAnn's around here, there is just no variety. Nor any good quality, to be honest. And since they are having 30 % off everything...I can't NOT go!

Another rocket just went off next to my house...grrr....many curses running through my head. My favorite for the day: "May the fleas of a thousand camels infest your armpits!"

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About Me

If it involves yarn, beads, thread, fabric, paper, paint, and needles, it is my kind of craft! I'm a working mom of a precocious little girl and a loving auntie, and enjoy making things for my friends and family. I've been doing crafts since I was a little girl, and now I see my own child picking up on mommy's hobbies, which tickles me to no end!
But...I don't have a lot of people near me with whom to share my love of handwork, so I've decided to give the blogosphere a try. Let's see how it goes!